Spring plankless truck



NW. 25, 11941- R. B. co'r'rRELL SPRING PLANKLESS TRUCK Filed Dec. 29,1939 2 sheets-sheet 1 INVENTOR. fnbef bi-rel ATTORNEY.

Nav. 25, 1941. R. a. coT'rRELL 2,263,759

SPRING `PLAlmLEss TRUCK' Filed Dec. 29, 1939 2 sheets-sheet 2 INVENTOR.Robe/*ZL B. @ZZ/yall,

Patented Nov. 25, 1941 SPRING PLANKLESS TRUCK Robert B. Cottrell,Chicago, Ill., assignor to American Steel Foundries, Chicago, Ill., acorporation of New Jersey Application December 29,1939, Serial No.311,509

8 Claims.

My invention relates to four wheel railway car trucks and moreparticularly to such trucks of socal1ed quick Wheel change type whereinthe `bolster and side frame are so connected as to facilitate theirassembly or dismantling without disturbing the associated spring group.

An object of my invention is to devise an improvement in themodification of the quick wheel change truckv shown in my United StatesLetters Patent No. 2,188,641, issued January 30, 1940 and entitledSpring plankless truck. In the said patent I have shown an arrangementwherein a single insert is used at each end of the bolster forming ameans of connection between the bolster and the associated side frames.In the arrangement shown in my said patent a portion of the bolsterco-acts with the guide -columns on the side frame and additional guidesurface is afforded by means of the insert. Under certain conditions itis desirable for the engaging guide surfaces to be located only on theside frame and one additional member, either the bolster or the insert.To accommodate such conditions I have devised the improvement shownherein and the said improvement includes certain other features moreclearly set forth in the accompanying drawings and specification.

A different object of my invention is to design a novel form of insertmember serving as a means of connection between a bolster and anassociated side frame, said insert member being formed in a plurality ofinterlocking parts to facilitate assembly and dismantling.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken through the y truck structure shownin Figures 1 and 2, the section being taken substantially in thetransverse plane indicated byr the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a top plan view of my novel insert member, Figure 4A being aside elevation thereof and Figure 4B an end view taken from the right asseen in Figures 4 and 4A.

Fig-ure 5 is a fragmentary top plan View of a modified form of one endof the insert structure and Figures 5A and 5B are end views and sideelevations thereof respectively.

Figure 6 is an end elevation of a further mode iii-cation of the bolsterand insert structure and Figure 6A is a sectional View therethrough,taken against the side Wall of the bolster.

substantially in the plane indicated by the line A-A of Figure 6.

Figure '7 is an end elevation of a modified form of bolster end insertstructure and Figure 7A is a sectional view therethrough takensubstantially in the plane indicated by the line A-A of Figure 7.

Describing my novel structure in greater detail and referringparticularly to the modification shown in Figures 1 to 4 inclusive, theside frame 2 comprises the compression member 4 and the tension member 6joined by the integral columns 8, ,8 forming therewith a bolster openingI0 within which may be received the end of the bolster I2, said bolsterend projecting through the opening II) and being seated upon the springgroup diagrammatically indicated at I4, I4 and which includes the topspring plate I5. The spring group I4 is positioned upon the spring seatI6 formed on said tension member 6-be neath said window opening. Thetension member 6 beneath said opening has the box section best seen fromthe view of Figure with a. 1ongitudinal center rib I8, a bottom chord2|] and a top chord 22 widened and formed with upstanding anges 24, 24,thus formingr a trough Within which the said spring group I4 may besecurely seated. 'I'he bottom Wall 26 of the bolster is recessedtransversely thereof y asat 28 to overlie the insert members 30, 30,said insert members being afforded interlocking lugs at their abuttingends as more particularly described hereafter. Each insert 30 is anLv-shaped structure with a base Web 32 and an upright guide portiongenerally designated 34, the juncture of said webV and upright portionbeing reinforced by the central diagonal rib 36. The upright or guideportion 34 has vertical spaced arcuate portions indicated at 38, 38 withan intervening channel 40, said arcuate portion and intervening channelhaving a form complementary with that of the engaging guide surface onthe column 8 whereon the guide surface is defined by spaced concavefaces 42, 42 with an intervening flange 44. At `the top of the uprightportion 34 is formed the transverse web or shelf 46 defining With thecenter web and lateral edges ofV said upright portion a plane surface 48for abutment Each insert 30 is formed at one end with means forinterlocking with a similar means ofthe other insert 3B, said meanscomprising a recess 50 at one side thereof and a projecting lug 52 atthe opposite side thereof. On each lug 52 is formed the stud 54 which isreceivable `im the eye 5s formed for the associated side frame.

`nection between the insert members.

that purpose in the top wall defining the recess 59. At the bottom webof each insert is formed a central opening 58 serving as a means ofengagement with positioning studs (not shown) on the top spring plateI5. The lateral edges of the bottom web of each insert are arcuate inform and complementary, as indicated at 60, 60 with the edges of therecess in the bottom wall of the bolster within which the insert isreceived, all as best seen in the top plan view of Figure 1. When theinsert is assembled relationship beneath the bolster, the rib 36 isreceived within the transverse slot 62 formed in the bottom and sidewalls of the bolster for that purpose.v

It may be noted that the depth of the vertical portion 34 of each insertis equal to the depth of the bolster end as best seen inthe sideelevation of Figure 2. Thus the inserts 30 are the sole means ofconnection between the bolster end and In assembly the spring group ispositioned upon thespring seat I6 and the inserts 30 are seatedthereupon with their adjacent ends in interlock- :ingrengag'ement andthe upright portions thereof engaging the complementary portions of thecclumns. Thereafter the bolster end may be inserted into the bolsteropening between the inserts and seatedthereon, the inserts being re-'ceived within the recess in the bottom of the bolster as alreadydescribed. If desired, the ribs .36 Vof the insert may be modied to theform shown Yat 64 in Figure 2A and provided with an opening 6& forreception of a cotter key or retaining bolt by means of which accidentaldis- ,mantling of the bolster Amay be prevented. It will :be readilyapparent to those skilled in the art that the two insert ,members 39, 30after assembly joperate substantially as a single member more or. lesssimilar to the insert member described in, my above-mentioned patentwith the excep- 'Vtion that full length column engaging surfaces areafforded on the inserts of my present, modifilcation.

Figure 5 shows a modified form of end con- In this modification the endsof adjacent inserts abut each otheralong the plane surfaces indicated at-68 and centrally of said abutting end is formed the upright lug 10, aportion of said lug being Aformed as at 12 along -the plane. dened bythe surface 68. The lug is afforded a transverse eye 14 aligned with theeye of the adjacent lug 'l0 and affording a means of connection betweenabutting insert members by the insertion of a cotter key or bolt throughsaid aligned eyes.

Figures 6 and 'l show my novel form `of insert vadapted for associationwith a well known form .of side frame column guide surface wherein the.column is formed with a concave cylindrical bolster engaging surface.In the modification shown in Figures 6 and 6A the insert 16 is recessedin the'bottom wall 18 of the bolster 80 in a manner similar to thatdescribed for the previous modi- 'cationf In the present modification,however, the upright portion 82 of the insert is formed wthfinboard andoutboard lateral lugs 84, 84 for abutment with the edges of anassociated side Vframe'A column and between the saidlugs the web V86presents a convex surface for complementary engagement with* itsassociated column surface. Thebolster 80 has the inboard guide lug 88abutting the inboard edge of the insert 82 and the outboard guide lug 90abutting the top outboard 4edge of thek insert member.

tion the insert member is formed with a central In this modicaupstandinglug 92 received within the hollow boss 94 formed for that purpose on thebottom Wall of the bolster and aligned openings in said lug and bossafford means of securing said insert to said bolster after assembly byinsertion therethrough of a key or retaining bolt.

The modication shown in Figure 7A is similar to that shown in Figures 6and 6A, differing therefrom only in the omission of the connecting lugand boss between the bolster 95 and the insert. Instead of such aconnection the modification of Figures 'l' and 7A shows an insert 95with a bottom web upturned at its inner end as at 98 along the edgewhich affords abutment with asimilar insert 96 at the opposite side ofthe bolster 95 and the upturned flange 98 is received within the slotIll formed for that purpose in the bottom wall of the bolster 95longitudinally thereof. The upright portion l02 of the insert 96 isidentical with that shown in the modiiication of Figure 6. If desired,the abutting flanges 98 of the inserts may be extended above the bottomwall of the bolster and formed with aligned eyes to accommodate aretaining key therein similar to other keying means shown herewith.

It is to be understood that I do not wish to be limited by the exactembodiments of the device shown which are merely by way of illustrationand not limitation as various and other forms ofthe device will, ofcourse, be apparent to those skilled in the art Without departing fromthe spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims.

I claim:

1. In a railway car truck, a side frame having a compression member, atension member, and spaced columns defining a bolster opening, guidesurfaces on said columns centrally thereof including a concavecylindrical surface, a spring group seated on said tension memberbeneath said opening, a bolster end projecting through said opening, anda bolster interlocking member seated on said spring group adjacent eachcolumn with a horizontal web recessed in the bottom of said bolster end,a vertical portion having guide means complementary in form t0 the guidemeans on the adjacent column and including a convex cylindrical portion,each of said vertical portions having guiding engagement with saidcolumns for the full depth of said bolster end, said bolster end havingvertical overlapping relationship with said members for a depth lessthan the clearance between the top of said bolster end and saidcompression member to permit assembling or dismantling therethrough ofsaid bolster end while said spring group and interlocking members are innormal assembled relationship, each of said interlocking membersextending transversely of said bolster for abutment with each otheradjacent the longitudinal center line of said bolster end, and means onsaid interlocking members adjacent their abutting ends in overlappingrelationship longitudinally, laterally and vertically of said truck toprevent movement of translation with respect to each other.

2. In a railway car truck, a side frame having a tension member, acompression member, and spaced columns forming therewith a bolsteropening, a spring group supported on said tension member beneath saidbolster opening, a bolster end projecting through said opening, each ofsaid columns having guide means thereon, bolster interlocking membersseated on said spring group with portions recessed in the bottom of saidbolster, each of said interlocking members having an upright portion`extending for approximately the depth of said bolster end between saidbolster end and the adjacent guide column, each of said interlockingmembers having guide means of complementary form with the guide means onsaid column and cooperating therewith, said bole ster having means invertical overlapping relationship with each of said interlocking membersfor a distance less than the clearance between the top l of said bolsterand said compression member; whereby said bolster end may be assembledor dismantled through the top of said openin'g while said interlockingmembers are in assembled position upon the spring group, and means onsaid interlocking members overlapping each other laterally,longitudinally and vertically of said truck within said bolster recessto prevent relative movement therebetween when in: normal assembledrelationship.

3. In a railway car truck, a side frame having a tension member, acompression member, and spaced columns forming therewith a bolsteropening, a spring group supported on said tension member beneath saidbolster opening, a bolster end projecting through said opening, each ofsai-d columns having guide means thereon, bolster interlocking membersseated on said spring group with portions recessed in the bottom of saidbolster end, each of said interlocking members having an upright portionextending for substantially the depth of said bolster end between saidbolster end and the adjacent guide column, each of said interlockingmembers having guide means of complementary form with the guide means onsaid columnand cooperating therewith, said bolster having means invertical overlapping relationship with eachV of said interlockingmembers for a distance less than the clearance between the top of saidbolster and said compression member, whereby said bolster end may beassembled or dismantled through the top of said opening while saidinterlocking members are in assembled position upon said spring group,and overlapping means on said interlocking members within the recessedportion of said bolster securing said members against movement oftranslation with respect to each other.

4. In a railway car truck, a Side frame having a tension member, acompression member, and spaced columns forming therewith a bolsteropening, a spring group seated on said tension member beneath saidbolster opening, a bolster end projecting through said opening, each ofsaid columns having guide means thereon, bolster interlocking membersseated on said spring group and recessed in the bottom of said bolster,each of said interlocking members having an upright portion extendingfor the full depth of said bolster end and between said bolster end andthe adjacent guide column, each of said interlocking members havingguide means of complementary form with the guide means on said columnand cooperating therewith, said bolster having means in verticaloverlapping relationship with each of said interlocking members for adistance less than the clearance between the top of said bolster andsaid compression member, whereby said bolster end may be assembled ordismantled through the top of said opening while said interlockingmembers are in assembled position upon said spring group, and means oneach member extending transversely beyond the longitudinal center lineof said bolster and adapted to interlock said members to preventrelative movement therebetween.

5. `In a railway car truck, a side frame having a tension member, acompression member, and spaced columns forming therewith a bolsteropening, a spring group supported on said tension member beneath saidbolster opening, a bolster end projecting through said opening, each ofsaid columns having guide means thereon, and bolster interlocking meansseated with said bolster end on said spring group and recessed in thebottom wall of said bolster, each of said interlocking means -having anupright portion extending for the'full depth of said bolster end andbetween said bolster end and the adjacent guide column,` each of saidinterlocking means having guide means of complementary form with theguide means on said column and cooperating therewith, each of saidinterlocking means having seeming members certain' of which extendthrough said bottom wall and others of which have overlappingrelationship to prevent relative movement of said interlocking means,said bolster having means in vertical overlapping relationship with saidsecuring members for a depth less than the clearance between the top ofsaid bolster and said compression member whereby said bolster end may beassembled or dismantled through the top of said opening while saidinterlocking means are in assembled position upon said spring group.

6. In a railway car truck, a side frame having a compression member, atension member, and spaced columns forming therewith a bolster opening,guide means on said columns, a spring group on said tension memberbeneath said opening, a bolster end extending through said opening, anda plurality of bolster interlocking members seated with said bolster endon said spring group, each of said members having complementary guidemeans engaging the guide means on said column for substantially thedepth of said bolster end, said bolster end having vertical overlappingrelationship with portions of said members for a depth less than theclearance between the top of said bolster end and said compressionmember to permit assembling or dismantling of said bolster end throughthe top of said opening while said spring group and said members are innormal assembled relationship, said interlocking members havinghorizontal portions recessed within the bottom wall of said bolster endand extending transversely thereacross and each presenting means foroverlapping interengagement with the corresponding means on the otherhorizontal portion adjacent to the longitudinal center line of saidbolster end, and upstanding means on said members extending through saidbottom wall and cooperating with said horizontal portions to preventexcessive lateral play of said members with respect to said bolster end.

7. In a railway car truck, a side frame having `a tension member, acompression member, and

spaced columns forming therewith a bolster opening, a spring groupseated on said tension member beneath said bolster opening, a bolsterend projecting through said opening, each of said columns having guidemeans thereon, bolster interlocking members seated with said bolster endon said spring group and recessed in the bottom of said bolster, each ofsaid interlocking members having an upright portion extending for thefull depth of said bolster end and between said bolster end and theadjacent guide column, each of said interlocking members having guidemeans of complementary form with the guide means on said column andcooperating therewith, said bolster having means in vertical overlappingrelations'hip with each of said interlocking members for a distance lessthan the clearance between the top of said bolster and said compressionmember, whereby said bolster end may be assembled or dismantled throughthe top of said opening while said interlocking members are in assembledposition upon said spring group, and means adjacent the longitudinalcenter line of said bolster interlocking said members.

8. In a railway car truck, a side frame having a tension member, acompression member, and spaced columns forming therewith a bolsteropening, a spring group seated on said tension member beneath saidbolster opening, abolster end projecting through said opening, each ofsaid columns having guide means thereon, bolster interlocking membersseated with said'bolster end on said spring group and recessed in thebottom of said bolster, each of said interlocking members having anupright portion extending for the full depth of said bolster end andbetween said bolster end and the adjacent guide column, each of saidinterlocking members having guide means of complementary form With theguide means on said column and cooperating therewith, said bolsterhaving means in vertical overlapping relationship with each of saidinterlocking members for a distance less than the clearance between thetop of said bolster and said compression member, whereby said bolsterend may be assembled or dismantled through the top of said opening whilesaid interlocking members are in assembled position upon said springgroup, and means interlocking said members with each other and with saidbolster, whereby said bolster and members act as a unit when assembled.

ROBERT B. COT'IREIL.

